Having Faith to Walk Across Water

“Time Warp”on discovery Channel reviewd the physical elements of oobleck, technically a non-newtonian liquid. It was cool to watch as they made an entire cement mixer of the substance. They batted it with a bat, rolled a blowling ball on it, and then walked on water. As I watched I thought of Jesus and Peter. Jesus walked across the water with ease and then Peter sunk. “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:31KJV)

Here too on the oobleck, if you did not keep the faith and the action, you would sink into the muck. Maybe the lake was a large non-Newtonian material to which Jesus knew the secret. Others could have followed if they believed with their heart and not their head. But even one moment of hesitation would cause you to sink.

Obviously I don’t believe that Jesus walked across a sea of oobleck, but even if they found a scientific explination would it lessen the impact of the lesson. Would the need for faith be any less?

This video is not the Time Warp version, I could not find it to share with you, but it is the same idea. You can also find a similar version from Mythbusters.



If you are interested in making oobleck with your children and studying its properties, check out this

God's Plan - I am his pawn

Today, I gave one of the Children’s Sermons. I cannot say that I felt that the spirit within me. I felt rushed and skipped key parts that I wanted to get across. I was complemented by those that heard it, but I did not feel I had gotten across what I had wanted, what I felt I was supposed to get across. I sat back down in the choir pew after finishing. Fortunately, one of the other choir members hugged me from behind and complemented me in my ear. I tried again to release my vanity into the air. If there was a message to heard, God would be sure that it was heard. It was not for me to worry. I had done the best I could for that day, that moment. It amazes me how this journey of faith continues. I thought that I had come so far and now I am realizing that I haven’t even put my shoes on to start the journey.

Faith or Knowledge

Are there times and places in your life when you have no faith, by that I mean you don’t need faith because you know without even a hint of doubt that God is there. You have seen or felt proof of His existence.

The word faith is a tricky word, because to have faith you must believe but it is a belief without knowing. It is not a belief without knowing. It is not a belief like “I believe the mailman came already” Knowing that the mailman comes everyday at 11:00 am and now it is quarter past 12 and certainly there will be proof of his arrival in the form of notes in your mailbox. You can know for sure 99.9% but there must be an tiniest bit of questioning, because there is no proof. This isn’t like questioning the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus, where you wish it to be true but know that it is not. It is a deep abiding belief – a belief in tradition that has been handed down age after age, a belief of the feeling in your own heart, a belief in the miracles that you have seen and heard that no one but a God in Heaven could produce. But all that belief ends in a question mark because there is no absolute proof before you. Some believers say they know 100%, but this is not faith. It is knowledge. I admire them for their certainty but I am still just faithful.

There are times when I am certain, like right now sitting on the beach and then there are other times when question arise. It is those times that I have to rely on my faith. The strength that I have built up in the knowing carries me through the times when I am unsure.

American Heritage Dictionary
faith (fāth) n.
1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. See Synonyms at belief, trust.
3. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one's supporters.
4. often Faith Christianity The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will.
5. The body of dogma of a religion: the Muslim faith.
6. A set of principles or beliefs.

A Word about Faith

"Finally, my brothers and sisters, always think about what is true. Think about what is noble, right and pure. Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. If anything is excellent or worthy of praise, think about those kinds of things." Philippians 4:8 NIV

I was following this verse and thinking on all things good as I came up with the following:

First
Act,
Incline
Toward
Him

Forever
Accept Him
In
Thy
Heart

Focus
Attention
Intently
Toward
Heaven

Finally
Admit
Internally
Thy need for
Help

Father
Almighty,
I
Thank You and
Honor You.

Amen

Can you create a faith statement? Or find another way to live the Philippians’ commandment. Share it with us.

A Map of Your Life Available

DD and I were discussing God's oversight in our life. She is very sure that God oversees our every move and indeed has our life mapped out before we are even born. With that in mind, she posed the question to me, "If everything is indeed mapped out would you like to know what the map says or would you like to live as you do now, blindly."







Without hesitation I replied, "No, I would not want to know." I think that I would miss so many moments as I waited for the "big" events, and I think that I am noticing that it is those little moments that make life interesting and beautiful. I am happy to live life, and not to know what is coming.



How would you have answered her question?

I hear you, God

This is a bit of a continuation from yesterday's post. This morning I read my Upper Room devotional. What was the scripture reading? Romans 8:28. I just looked up, laughed, and said, "I hear you, God".

And what is the snippet verse today, "The Lord hath heard my supplication, the Lord will receive my prayer. (Psalm 6:9)"

It is funny how God can cause certain messages to reach you if you are open to hear them.

Moving Under God's Direction

One of the houses that we have been looking at has dropped by 50k. Now you would think that I would be excited about this, instead my heart sunk. Without our house selling, there is no way that we can purchase the house. What does this have to do with faith? DD saw my response and wrote a blog about faith on our joint blog acupofteawithmomandme.blogspot.com about Having faith as it regarded to the home sale. She reminded me of Romans 8:28


"all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

and of Psalm 139. On the other hand, a joke that I once heard came to mind:

There was a man who lived by a river as the rains came. An announcement came over the radio for all residents to move from the area because torrential floods were on there way, but the man said, “I have my Bible and I pray to God. He will protect me. I am going nowhere.”

The rains came and the water rose on his house. He had to move to the second floor to avoid the waters. A boat of rescuers came around, “Come with us, sir. We are evacuating. It is bad now, but the rains are going to continue. Your house may be swept away”
The man responded shaking his Bible out the window, “I have my Bible and I pray to God. He will protect me. I am going nowhere!”

As the rescuers had predicted, the rains continued. The man was forced out on his roof. Fortunately, the rescuers had not forgotten him. They came by in a helicopter. “Sir, you must come now. You have nowhere left to go. More waters are coming. Please come with us.”
“You don’t understand. I have my Bible and I pray to God. He will protect me. I am going nowhere.” He flagged the helicopter away. The rains continued, eventually overtaking his roof. He was washed away and died.

When he reached heaven and standing face to face with God, he asked, “I don’t understand. I believed. I had faith. Why am I dead? I waited for you to save me.”
God replied, “Who do you think made sure that you were warned and sent the rescuers not just once but twice?”

* * * Would you believe while I was writing this a car just drove down my driveway, checked out the house, and drove away. We have a 200 foot driveway and live on a dead end. You don’t drive down our driveway by mistake!

So please join me in a prayer:

Dear God, It seems to me that my family and I are supposed to move. We asked for your guidance and You provided us with a job, when we weren’t sure that there would be one. Not only did you provide us with it, we were truly blessed with it. Thank you for providing. Now we are trying to follow and resettle, but our home has yet to sell. We have taken our steps, but still we are caught between these two places. We know that You have a plan and that we must learn to relax and trust. And so, I ask you to watch over us and help us to continue to have faith. Do not give me what I necessarily wish, but instead what You know is right. Help us to be faithful and understand your bidding. Amen

Saint Teresa

I have always been fascinated by Mother Teresa. As a Congregationalist, we don’t believe in saints, but if there ever where one, I believe Mother Teresa should be she. Currently, Mother Teresa is on the track toward sainthood, but now apparently a second miracle must be ascribed to her. A second miracle? How about the millionth miracle? Her miracles are the bringing of a thousand hearts to God. Few else could match her record of conversion. Mind you, I don’t mean the people of Calcutta or the nuns of her diocese. I mean the people of the word. So rarely has a person with such good intention touched so many in the world and inspired them along their path God. Even now when her private notes are published and we hear of her own doubts, this does not weaken her case, but strengthens it. She has shown that she is us and that we can be her. What greater miracle can a mortal offer? Mother Teresa’s miracle of conversion is far more spectacular and far reaching that curing a stomach tumor or a crying statue.

As I think on this more, maybe it is right that the Catholic church does not canonize her. Their sainting a person is just an earthly symbol of an eternal truth anyway. Perhaps if we all personally see her as a saint, this is more a truth than sainthood being bestowed upon her. As for now in the Church, she is considered Beatified. She is the Blessed Mother Teresa. But for me, she will be the best example of a saint. She will not be corrupted by statutes or trivialized with prayer to locate lost items. She will be a beacon, showing us what humanity can be if it chooses. She was and continues even after her death to help us toward walking in Christ’s footsteps. She is a Sherpa, who has walked the path and can help us along our way.

picture from http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9709/mother.teresa/impact/index.html

Dear Pope Benedict, Please consider Mother Teresa’s miracle her impact on others. As this impact has lasted past her death and as she continues to inspire and move people toward Christ, this miracle should be her second miracle and therefore move her forward to be canonized as Saint Teresa.

Sincerely,
A non-Catholic but a fellow Christian, who was deeply inspired,
Dawn

Would You Pass the Test?

I happen to be reading Max Lucado’s Cure for the Common Life,




when I came by this scripture, “If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.” (Matthew 15:25 NLT – pg 86). Lucado uses these words from Jesus to ask us if we are willing to follow God WHEREVER he leads. Would we, like Joseph, give up our social standing to wed Mary and claim Jesus as our own?

Wow, that is a powerful question. I would love to say “Yes” without a doubt and certainly I strive to reach that point. Truthfully though, I don’t know. Lucado brings up three examples of similar callings for us to ponder:

You are a photographer for an ad agency and are asked to work for an adult magazine. Do you agree to the shoot?
To me, this one doesn’t see too difficult - of course that is until they offer you some ridiculous amount of money to do it and you need to put oil in your tank to heat your house this winter.

You’re taking a college philosophy course and the teacher is railing against God and Christianity itself. Do you speak up?
It is easy to say you would, but this person holds your future in his / her hands. What if it was your boss? How about at a party where everyone is speaking again God? Would you be the lone voice. Now if you knew me, I can be a loud mouth and often have a hard time keeping my opinions to myself so it is likely that I would speak up, but trying to fit in is also one of my faults especially for the sake of my children or my husband. If we were at a business dinner with clients, I’m not sure that I would have the guts. I guess this is definitely an area I need to work on. Sadly, the one time I have actually experienced this and worked on speaking up is in Bible Study. Although I grew up in the church where I am taking this course and I respect all the members and especially my minister, I take issue with some of their beliefs. I think it is very easy to think that God is all Love and Kindness. While I believe that He contains those qualities and has unending love for His children, I also think that He calls us to do right and when we continually deny Him, He gets angry (Does the book of Exodus sound familiar?). I also greatly question the idea that all paths lead to God and Salvation. While I think that it makes us happy to believe that, please explain, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6 KJV). And so despite great fear of admonishment from my own priest, I continue to ask questions focusing on this idea. Now please don’t applaud me, because I am still unable to out rightly challenge the beliefs of the larger group, but I have at least questioned. Would you?

You completely change your life from being a Christmas Christian, or as I have also heard them referred a “C & E Christian” (translation- a person who only attends church on Christmas & Easter) to becoming a fully participatory person in your church and its missions. Your friends are scared of this change in you and pressure you to return to your old role. Do you?

We have made this change and frankly, we just make new friends. We still see most of the old friends, but it is awkward when they don’t share in the same deep faith and hesitate to discuss God’s work. People tend to hang around with others that share common goals and ideals. To us, our faith and our family are central. If you don’t share that then we probably don’t have a lot of time to hang out anyway.

As always, it is easy to speak (or in this case write) your beliefs.; It is much harder to live them. And even if you pass these tests today, what about tomorrow? Next Tuesday? What if what was asked of you put you at odds with your family? Your husband? Would you be able to pass or would you have to fall to our knees and ask forgiveness.

Later in the book, Lucado briefly discusses Psalm 51, King David’s apology after he had sinned with Bath-sheba. I picked up my Bible to read it. I am going to share it with you below. I figure we both may need it when we fail the test. I have given you the King James Version and also the Contemporary English Version both have been copied from http://www.biblegateway.com/.

Psalm 51 - KJV

1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.


Psalm 51 (Contemporary English Version)

A Prayer for Forgiveness

1You are kind, God!
Please have pity on me.
You are always merciful!
Please wipe away my sins.
2Wash me clean from all
of my sin and guilt.
3I know about my sins,
and I cannot forget
my terrible guilt.
4You are really the one
I have sinned against;
I have disobeyed you
and have done wrong.
So it is right and fair for you
to correct and punish me.
5I have sinned and done wrong
since the day I was born.
6But you want complete honesty,
so teach me true wisdom.
7Wash me with hyssop [a] until I am clean
and whiter than snow.
8Let me be happy and joyful!
You crushed my bones,
now let them celebrate.
9Turn your eyes from my sin
and cover my guilt.
10Create pure thoughts in me
and make me faithful again.
11Don't chase me away from you
or take your Holy Spirit
away from me.
12Make me as happy as you did
when you saved me;
make me want to obey!
13I will teach sinners your Law,
and they will return to you.
14Keep me from any deadly sin.
Only you can save me!
Then I will shout and sing
about your power to save.
15Help me to speak,
and I will praise you, Lord.
16Offerings and sacrifices
are not what you want.
17The way to please you
is to feel sorrow
deep in our hearts.
This is the kind of sacrifice
you won't refuse.
18Please be willing, Lord,
to help the city of Zion
and to rebuild its walls.
19Then you will be pleased
with the proper sacrifices,
and we will offer bulls
on your altar once again.

Husband and Wife in Faith?? Will he even come?

”Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

“. . . the father to the children shall make known thy truth.” Isaiah 38:19

“My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.” Proverbs 1:8

I had not thought of raising children and church myself, let alone discuss it with my husband, of course that is, until it was an issue. I knew my husband was not a church goer when we met. I knew he was an altar boy as a child, but only by parental force. I never thought about how this would affect us as parents or as partners. But I will tell you, when your four year old asks you, “Why doesn’t Daddy go to church?” or claims exemption from having to go because “Daddy doesn’t go”, it quickly becomes an issue.

I started with asking, progressed with pleading, and finally just reached frustrated acceptance. Every week the kids and I would get up, get dressed, and head to church. I was convinced that others in the church thought that I was a single mom. I even began referring to myself as a church widow.

As the kids got older and became more involved, he was seen at occasional junior choir performances or perhaps the Christmas Pageant. Then as I got involved, sometimes he would help at a Pancake Breakfast or other event. The congregation loved his help but knew that as soon as he was done helping, he would be gone.

As the kids grew and learned, they became concerned that Daddy was missing out. They noticed that other families sat together. They recognized my church widowhood and felt orphaned themselves. No matter what we said, it did not seem to make an impression. In fact, it sometimes drew angry responses. I had to ask the kids to let it go, but I did remind them, especially my son, to remember this so that they would be different as parents themselves.
We did convince him to join us on a mission trip to Kentucky. We went for fellowship and missionary work. He went to work, work. He happily swung his hammer. He worked through our day off and used his spare time to do his regular work on his computer. He would even try to skip our evening prayers.

Then God sent an angel. Not a white robed or feathered cherub, but a man. A man that was not afraid to express his surety in God’s presence; A man that became a friend to my husband through scouts; A man who welcomed us into his family and openly shared God plan. The man, Bart, often would say his peace and then apologize for pushing his beliefs onto us. I think he was afraid of offending us, but something about the way he shared opened my husband’s ears. After 15 years of begging and pleading, my husband announced that he was going to come to church with us. I think I actually held my breath – afraid that if I jolted the moment, he would change his mind, but he didn’t. He came to church. He stayed after for coffee hour. He discussed the sermon. Next week was no different. He came again and again. People at church actually started commenting about his attendance. Kids that had gone to Kentucky with us actually commented about his attendance to the minister. They were inspired that such a man’s man could swing a hammer and be a part of the church. I no longer had to cajole him. He was now the first one ready and often pushing us out the door.

Our church has a strange tradition of “closing” for the summer. Technically we just exchange with another church. We go to another church in July and the other church joins us in August, but truthfully most people stop attending when school gets out and don’t come back until after Labor Day. When the first summer came after my husband started coming, I thought that my dream had ended, but the angel interceded again. The idea of “ending” church was foreign to his family and he refused to embrace it. So we all kept going and completed the summer swap.
And then I knew the seed had found fertile ground when he had to plan a “ticket” (a planned program based around a core idea that develops the self and advances Scouting in some way) for his Boy Scout WoodBadge. He called me from the weekend retreat with his plan. Tears streamed down my face as he explained his plan to increase his understanding of Protestantism and to bring his belief in God to Scouting. At that moment as I listened to my husband describe his ticket, God reminded me that things don’t happen in my time but in His and that truly miracles still happen.

Since then, my husband has attended a Bible study course, encouraged us to serve coffee hour for the congregation, and looks for ways for us to help at the church. He requested an audio version of the Bible that he could listen to on his commute to work. He even goes to church on weeks that I may be unable to and comes home early from camping to make sure that he and my son make it to services. I no longer have to fret about the message that my son is receiving from his father, because my son has seen the blessing of a father leading his family in faith.